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Firms To Watch: TMT: foreign firms

Led by Yingyu Wang, the TMT team at Simmons & Simmons is noted for its expertise in the IT and media sectors, advising on technology transactions and regulatory matters, in addition to funding and M&A involving technology companies.

TMT: foreign firms in Singapore

Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance handles a broad range of matters concerning technology and digitalisation, including artificial intelligence, digital assets, green technologies, data protection, and cybersecurity, in addition to big-ticket technology-related transactions. The practice recently bolstered its capabilities with the arrival of practice leader Stella Cramer and ‘standout’ counsel David Olds from Norton Rose Fulbright in April 2023. Cramer boasts an impressive track record advising on digital and transformational technology transactions, as well as data protection, cybersecurity, and fintech matters, while Olds focuses on telecommunications regulation, IT contracting, and outsourcing mandates. Paul Landless is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Stella Cramer


Other key lawyers:

Paul Landless; David Olds; Lena Ng


Testimonials

‘David Olds is a standout lawyer.’

Key clients

Citi


Contour


Digix


HSBC


Livi


MOX


Partior


R3


Standard Chartered Bank / SC Ventures


Yoma Group


Work highlights


  • Advised a consortium of investors on the establishment of the Partior blockchain payments platform, which will leverage blockchain technology and digitise commercial bank money.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP

The TMT practice at Herbert Smith Freehills LLP continues to showcase its capabilities in M&A, foreign investments, collaborations, and joint ventures, with demonstrable experience advising on matters concerning data protection and cybersecurity, fintech, and e-commerce. Following the departure of Mark Robinson in August 2023, Harry Evans has adopted the position of practice head; he handles a broad range of high-value commercial arrangements, including outsourcings, development and procurement of software, cloud computing offerings, as well as technology-related licensing mandates and commercialisation agreements. Of counsel Peggy Chow spearheads the practice’s data and cybersecurity offering, while Victor Chiew focuses on TMT-related M&A, joint ventures, minority investments, and series fund raisings.

Practice head(s):

Harry Evans


Other key lawyers:

Peggy Chow; Victor Chiew; Clare Hubert


Testimonials

‘Knowledge of the industry and its challenges when applying the law and able to explain its impact to clients.’

‘The team is competent and has global coverage. Advice is commercial and useful.’

‘Peggy Chow is a trusted adviser on privacy matters in the APAC region.’

Key clients

Alibaba


Asia Partners


Axiata Group Berhad


Bank of America


Dentsu


Digital Nasional Berhad


EdgeConnex


FWD


Globe Telecom


Google


Grab


Hawaiki


Keppel


Maxis


Morgan Stanley


Sega


Singtel


Standard Chartered Bank


Work highlights


  • Advised Globe on its sale of 7,506 telecommunication towers in the Philippines to: Frontier Tower Associates Philippines, Inc., backed by KKR; MIESCOR Infrastructure Development Corporation; and Phil-Tower Consortium, Inc.; and Unity Digital Infrastructure.
  • Advised Standard Chartered Bank on its participation in Partior, a blockchain enabled platform provider for cross-border, interbank payments clearing and settlement, and a challenger to incumbents such as the SWIFT network.
  • Advised Keppel on its equity investment arrangements and related debt financing into the USD700m Bifrost Cable System.

CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP

Noted for its continued activity in the media streaming sector, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang (Singapore) LLP handles a broad range of mandates, from data privacy and cybersecurity to cutting-edge regulatory and licensing issues in the telecoms and OTT arenas. Key clients include The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Discovery, and BBC Studios, among others. Sheena Jacob leads the team and advises on mandates concerning data privacy and cybersecurity, media, and fintech.

Practice head(s):

Sheena Jacob


Key clients

The Walt Disney Company


Warner Bros. Discovery Inc


Equinix


Integrated Health Information Systems Pte Ltd


Fossil


BBC Studios


HotStar


Dapper Labs


SP Group


Iron Mountain


ShopBack


Willis Towers Watson


Vale S.A.


Tempur Sealy


AMAN Resorts


Chain Labs Private Limited (CoinSwitch Kuber)


Bharti Airtel


TikTok


Savills


Dodid


BTIG


Zegocloud


Sygnum Bank


Work highlights


  • Advised ShopBack on a substantial collaboration agreement with Australian bank Westpac, which gave more than 5 million Westpac customers access to exclusive cashback offers.
  • Advised Equinix on telco regulatory compliance and data protection issues in Malayisa.
  • Advised BBC Studios on media regulatory issue and the restructuring of BBC entities.

Linklaters

The ‘standout practice’ at Linklaters has demonstrable experience advising on digital infrastructure transactions involving commercial arrangements, cross-border M&A, data protection, and cybersecurity mandates, in addition to digital transformation projects. Praised for his ability to ‘articulate and explain technical concepts’, team leader Adrian Fisher advises on technology procurement, collaboration arrangements, and outsourcing, as well as advisory matters focusing on regulatory issues, data privacy, cybersecurity, and technology risk management. Other key contacts in the group include global co-head of the TMT sector Niranjan Arasaratnam and managing associate Jia-Yi Tay.

Practice head(s):

Adrian Fisher; Niranjan Arasaratnam


Other key lawyers:

Jia-Yi Tay


Testimonials

‘The firm has strong capabilities in the technology sector.’

‘Niranjan Arasaratnam stands out for his expertise in the technology sector.’

‘The Linklaters TMT practice is a standout practice made up of a diverse talent pool, with great experience. I very much appreciate their global reach, their willingness to think creatively and expansively as far as the work they do and the people they assign to such work.’

Key clients

Citibank


Stonepeak


AXA Asia and Affin Bank


NEOM


Emirates Telecommunication Group Company


LINE Man Corporation Pte. Ltd


Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board


Qatar Investment Authority


World Bank Group


Work highlights


  • Advised Citi on the sale of its six consumer banking franchises in Southeast Asia and EMEA, particularly on significant TMT elements to these transactions relating to the transitional services arrangements, technology transfer, IP and data and records sharing and management.
  • Advised Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan Board on digital infrastructure transactions, including its NZ$900m acquisition of 70% of Spark New Zealand’s mobile tower business, and its NZ$1.1bn acquisition of the mobile tower assets of 2degrees.
  • Acting for a technology company in its strategic partnerships in the region, including one of its largest partnerships established with a telecoms provider globally and its digital transformation partnerships in India, as well as its digital transformation collaborations with a leading telecoms provider in Southeast Asia.

Norton Rose Fulbright

Norton Rose Fulbright maintains its strong track record in the digital disruption and fintech arenas, with demonstrable experience advising on commercial technology transactions, in addition to matters concerning data protection and cybersecurity. Notably, the team stands out for its expertise in cyber breach response and compliance mandates. Following the departure of Stella Cramer to Clifford Chance in March 2023, head of the firm’s Asia regulatory compliance and investigations practice Wilson Ang spearheads the team in Singapore and handles data breach incidents, in addition to setting up cyber incidents response policy and procedures.

Practice head(s):

Wilson Ang; Etelka Bogardi


Other key lawyers:

Jeremy Lua


Key clients

AXA


Axiata


HSBC


Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore


Northern Trust


Razer


Work highlights


  • Advised Razer on a data breach incident that exposed its customers’ confidential data against its IT solutions provider, Capgemini.
  • Advising Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore, the group’s new state-of-the-art research and development and electric vehicle manufacturing facility in Singapore, as sole legal adviser.

Milbank

The ‘technically strong and reliable’ team at Milbank counts domestic and regional companies, investors, and financial institutions among its key roster of clients, advising on a range of technology and telecoms-related transactions across Southeast Asia, notably the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, and Vietnam. Giles Kennedy handles M&A, capital markets, and financing transactions arising out of the technology and telecoms sectors, and jointly leads the team alongside Jacqueline Chan, who has a strong focus on cutting-edge first-of-its-kind deals.

Practice head(s):

Giles Kennedy; Jacqueline Chan


Testimonials

‘Technically strong and reliable.’

‘Impressed with Jacqueline Chan’s knowledge of the local legal requirements.’

‘Giles Kennedy demonstrates good leadership and industry expertise.’

‘Very organised and they work well together.’

‘Depth throughout the entire team.’

‘Responsive, attentive and flexible.’

‘Dedicated and great attitude.’

Key clients

Tiga Investments Pte Ltd


Singapore Telecommunications Limited


Grab Holdings Inc.


PLDT Inc.


Masan Group Corporation


CVC Capital Partners


Trustroot Internet Private Limited


PT Bukalapak Tbk


WatchBanQ Group


Baring Private Equity Asia


Work highlights


  • Advised Tiga Acquisition Corp., a special purpose acquisition company, on its merger with Grindr, the number one social network for the LGBTQ+ community.
  • Advised telecommunications provider PLDT Inc. and its subsidiaries Smart Communications, Inc. and Digitel Mobile Philippines, Inc. on the sale of 5,907 telecom towers and related passive infrastructure to subsidiaries of international groups, edotco Group and EdgePoint Infrastructure for PHP77bn.
  • Represented Masan High-Tech Materials, one of the world’s largest tungsten suppliers, in its Series B funding (via its affiliate, H.C. Starck Tungsten Powders) in Nyobolt, a British fast-charging battery start-up.

Morrison Foerster (Singapore)

Morrison Foerster (Singapore) continues to showcase its expertise in data centre transactions, including acquisitions, divestments, co-investments, joint ventures, and restructurings, with additional capability advising on matters concerning fintech, e-commerce, blockchain, and cryptocurrency. Private equity and venture capital expert Shirin Tang leads the team and Jason Nelms advises on funds focused on early to late-stage start-ups in the technology sector. Lip Kian Ang is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Shirin Tang


Other key lawyers:

Jason Nelms; Lip Kian Ang


Testimonials

‘MoFo has been an outstanding firm that has become our principal deal counsel on almost every investment we make in Asia.’

‘They have an excellent network of local counsel that they work seamlessly with on every deal.’

Key clients

Beam Mobility Holdings Pte. Ltd.


Intudo Ventures


Princeton Digital Group


Touchstone Capital Partners


Vectr Fintech Partners


Work highlights


  • Advised Intudo Ventures on the formation of a fund focused on potential early-stage start-ups in Indonesia.

Pinsent Masons MPillay

Pinsent Masons MPillay handles a broad range of IT-related transactional and advisory matters, with demonstrable experience advising on technology infrastructure sourcing, cloud-based solutions, and multi-sourcing. Other key areas of expertise include fintech and artificial intelligence, as well as cryptocurrency. Following the departure of Alexander Shepherd in July 2023, Mark Tan, who acts for technology companies in acquiring targets in Asia, now jointly leads the team alongside Nicholas Hanna, who advises corporate clients in Southeast Asia on acquisitions and divestments in the technology sector.

Practice head(s):

Nicholas Hanna; Mark Tan


Key clients

muru-D


Capgemini S.E.


CloudSEK Research Pte. Ltd.


Eezee Pte. Ltd.


Work highlights


  • Advising muru-D on its portfolio in Asia Pacific due to entering into a five-year exclusive partnership agreement to provide all legal services and administrative support, replacing muru-D’s own internally run legal support function.
  • Advised Capgemini SE, a multinational information technology services and consulting company, listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange, on the acquisition of Aodigy Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., a Singapore headquartered group specialising in digital transformation on the salesforce platform
  • Advised Eezee Pte. Ltd., a Singapore based start-up which built and operates an online marketplace for businesses to compare suppliers and order products online, in relation to its US$7.5m pre-IPO fundraising.

Reed Smith LLP

Reed Smith LLP handles a broad range of transactional and regulatory matters, from compliance and licensing issues, to TMT-related M&A, joint ventures, and strategic investments, with additional expertise in fintech, e-commerce, blockchain, automated payments, and artificial intelligence. Following the departure of Charmian Aw to Squire Patton Boggs in April 2023, Bryan Tan now solely leads the practice and stands out for his experience advising on venture capital investments into fast-growing technology companies, as well as data protection and cybersecurity matters. ‘Resourceful and dedicated’ associate Bernice Tian is another key contact in the group.

Practice head(s):

Bryan Tan


Other key lawyers:

Bernice Tian


Testimonials

‘The team is very knowledgeable and offers efficient advice.’

‘Bryan Tan and Bernice Tian are very responsive and give great advice.’

‘I have enjoyed working with Bernice Tian over the past year as she is resourceful and dedicated to her work. She is very dedicated to the targets which we agree upon mutually and has never missed any agreed arrangements.’